Evidence supporting the use of: Eleuthero
For the body system: Adrenal Glands

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), also known as Siberian ginseng, has a longstanding history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Russia, China, and Korea. Traditionally, it has been considered an “adaptogen”—a category of herbs believed to help the body adapt to stress and to support the adrenal glands, which are involved in the physiological stress response. Historically, Russian scientists in the mid-20th century popularized its use for increasing endurance and resilience to stress, linking it with adrenal support in both folk and research literature.

While a number of animal and cell studies suggest eleuthero may help modulate stress hormones and improve resistance to stressors, direct evidence for its support of adrenal gland function in humans remains limited. Some small human studies report improved feelings of well-being and reduced fatigue, but these studies are often of low quality or have methodological limitations. There is no robust clinical evidence establishing that eleuthero directly supports adrenal gland health or function. However, its traditional use as an adaptogen and anecdotal reports provide the main justification for its use in adrenal formulas. More rigorous human research is needed to establish clear scientific validation for this application.

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